[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Bayville 3-10-1975 by L.L. No. 6-1975. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The preservation and improvement of the quality of the natural and man-made environment within the Village of Bayville, in the face of population growth and technologic change with their accompanying demands on natural resources, are found to be of increasing and vital importance to the health, welfare and economic well-being of present and future inhabitants and require forthright action by the governing body of the Village of Bayville. It is recommended that the biologic integrity of the natural environment on which man is dependent for survival and the natural and functional beauty of our surroundings which condition the quality of our life experience cannot be protected without the full cooperation and participation of all the people of the Village of Bayville working in partnership with local and state officials and with various public and private institutions, agencies and organizations. Establishment of a commission for conservation of the environment is a necessary step in fostering unified action on environmental problems.
The Village Board of the Village of Bayville hereby creates a commission which shall be known as the "Bayville Environmental Conservation Commission," hereinafter called the "Commission."
The Commission shall consist of not less than seven nor more than nine members. In addition, there may be appointed up to two members of the Commission who are between 16 and 21 years of age. Members shall be appointed by the Village Board for the term of two years from and after the expiration of the terms of their predecessors in office. If a vacancy shall occur otherwise than by the expiration of a term, it shall be filled by the Village Board by appointment for the unexpired term; provided, however, that half of the members, other than the Chairman, shall be appointed for terms of two years, and the remaining members shall be appointed for the term of one year. Persons who have demonstrated an interest in the improvement and preservation of environmental quality shall be eligible for appointment as members of the Commission.
The Village Board shall designate a member of the Commission to act as Chairman thereof. At the first meeting of the Commission, its members shall elect from among themselves a recording Secretary. The Commission shall adopt rules and procedures for its meetings. It shall keep accurate records of its meetings and activities and shall file an annual report as provided in § 24-6 of this chapter. The Commission shall meet at least once each month and shall have the power to hold public hearings.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall be to:
A. 
Advise the Village Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals and all other Village boards and commissions on matters affecting the preservation, development and use of the natural and man-made features and conditions of the Village insofar as beauty, quality of biologic integrity and other environmental factors are concerned and, in the case of man's activities and developments, with regard to any major threats posed to environmental quality, so as to enhance the long-range value of the environment to the people of the Village of Bayville.
B. 
Develop and, after receiving general approval by resolution of the Village Board, conduct a program of public information in the community which shall be designed to foster increased understanding of the nature of environmental problems and issues and supports for their solutions.
C. 
Conduct studies, surveys and inventories of the natural and man-made features within the Village of Bayville and such other studies and surveys as may be necessary to carry out the general purposes of this chapter.
D. 
Maintain an up-to-date inventory or index of all open spaces or open areas in public or private ownership within the municipality (as the term "open areas" is defined in § 239-y of the New York State General Municipal Law), including but not limited to natural landmarks, glacial and other geomorphic or physiographic features; streams and their floodplains, swamps, marshlands and other wetlands, unique biotic communities; scenic and other open areas of natural or ecological value; and of the ownership, present use and proposed use of such open areas, so as to provide a base of information for recommendations by the Commission for their preservation and/or use.
E. 
Seek to cooperate with, coordinate, assist and unify the efforts of private groups, institutions and individuals within the Village of Bayville in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
F. 
Maintain liaison and communications with public and private agencies and organizations of local, state and national scope whose programs and activities have an impact on the quality of the environment or who can be of assistance to the Commission.
G. 
Work in cooperation with the Bayville Planning Board, recommend from time to time to the Village Board features, plans and programs relating to environmental improvement and, similarly, recommend to the Village Board appropriate and desirable changes in existing local laws, ordinances and practices relating to environmental control or recommend new local laws, ordinances and practices.
H. 
Prepare, print and distribute books, maps, charts and pamphlets in accord with the purposes of this chapter.
I. 
Obtain and maintain in orderly fashion maps, reports, books and other publications to support the necessary researches of the Commission into local environmental conditions.
J. 
When authorized by resolution of the Village Board of the Village of Bayville, the Commission may accept, by gift, grant, devise, bequest or otherwise, property, both real and personal, in the name of the Village of Bayville, as may be necessary to conserve and otherwise properly utilize open spaces and other land and water resources within the boundaries of the Village of Bayville. Such real property may be accepted in fee for land and water rights or, as any lesser interest, development right, easement, including conservation easement, covenant or other contractual right, including conveyance with limitations or reversions.
K. 
Carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Village Board.
The Commission shall submit an annual report to the Village Board not later than the 31st day of December of each year, concerning the activities and work of the Commission, and from time to time shall submit such reports and recommendations as may be necessary to fulfill the purpose of this chapter.
The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services as members thereof but may be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties within the appropriations made available therefor.
This chapter shall be deemed an exercise of the powers of the Village of Bayville to preserve and improve the quality of the natural and man-made environment on behalf of the present and future inhabitants thereof. This chapter is not intended and shall not be deemed to impair the powers of any other public corporation.